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Lesson 5 of 6
  • Year 5

Layering part-singing: adding a three note melody

I can play a three note melody, partnering this with a different song.

Lesson 5 of 6
New
New
  • Year 5

Layering part-singing: adding a three note melody

I can play a three note melody, partnering this with a different song.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Practising well prepares us for singing three-part rounds and three partner songs.
  2. Instrumental melodies can be layered under songs.
  3. A sound sense of pulse is essential when combining instrument melodies and singing together.

Keywords

  • Melody - a combination of notes to make a memorable tune

  • Texture - the combination of different layers of sounds

  • Pulse - the regular, steady heartbeat of the music

Common misconception

Layering an instrumental melody with a different song will not create pleasing harmonies.

Partner songs are selected to work together because their notes fit together harmoniously. It doesn't matter if we play or sing the melody, it will work equally well.


To help you plan your year 5 music lesson on: Layering part-singing: adding a three note melody, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Keep practising melodies away from the instruments and do not place an overreliance on the notation. By using body actions, hand signs, rhythm chants, singing the notes, tapping the rhythm, you are consolidating understanding, making the playing part easier!
Teacher tip

Equipment

Pitched percussion instruments with the notes F, A, C'. For example, glockenspiels or xylophones. Maximum needed - one between two.

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

Download quiz pdf

4 Questions

Q1.
Match the singing structure to its definition.

Correct Answer:round,multiple groups sing the same melody but start at different times

multiple groups sing the same melody but start at different times

Correct Answer:unison,the same tune sung or played at the same time

the same tune sung or played at the same time

Correct Answer:partner song,two or more songs that fit together sung at the same time

two or more songs that fit together sung at the same time

Q2.
Match the musical element to its definition.

Correct Answer:pitch,how high or low a note is

how high or low a note is

Correct Answer:beat,the playing or showing of the steady pulse like the ticking of a clock

the playing or showing of the steady pulse like the ticking of a clock

Correct Answer:structure,the way the music is organised

the way the music is organised

Correct Answer:pulse,the regular, steady heartbeat of the music

the regular, steady heartbeat of the music

Correct Answer:texture,texture the combination of different layers of sounds

texture the combination of different layers of sounds

Q3.
Which of these is the highest pitch in Chocolaté?

do
mi
Correct answer: so

Q4.
How would you chant this rhythm?

An image in a quiz
Ta Ta-di Ta Ta-di
Takadi Ta Takadi Ta
Correct answer: Ta-di Ta Ta-di Ta

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

4 Questions

Q1.
Why is it important to develop a sound sense of pulse?

so we know how high or low the notes are
so we know how the music is organised and what comes next
Correct answer: so we can sing and play in time together

Q2.
When we sing three songs together, that work harmoniously, at the same time, we are singing

Correct Answer: partner songs, Partner songs

Q3.
Banaha (Si Si Si) is an example of what kind of song structure?

Correct Answer: A round, round, rounds, A round, canon

Q4.
How would you sing this melody?

An image in a quiz
so so so so do do / so so so so mi mi
Correct answer: so so so so mi mi / so so so so do do
do do do do mi mi / do do do do so so